M3:4239 — ذکر یوسف ذکر زلف پر خمش / ذکر یعقوب و زلیخا و غمش

This couplet is part of a larger section where Rumi addresses the criticism that his Masnavi is too simplistic. A 'donkey' (representing a dull-witted, unperceptive critic) dismisses the Masnavi as mere stories of prophets and their followers, lacking the 'high secrets' and 'deep research' that saints pursue on their path to God. The critic claims the Masnavi is easily understood even by children, dealing only with 'likes and dislikes.'

In this specific couplet, the critic exemplifies this perceived simplicity by citing the well-known story of Joseph (Yusuf), his captivating beauty (symbolized by his 'curling locks' or zolf-e por kham), and the emotional turmoil of Jacob (Ya'qub) and Zulaikha (Zolaykha). The critic implies that these narratives, with their focus on human emotions like love, longing, and grief (gham), are superficial and lack the intellectual depth expected of spiritual discourse. This is a direct parallel to the criticism leveled against the Quran by disbelievers, who called it 'ancient fables' (asatir). Rumi, however, turns this criticism on its head, implicitly suggesting that the very accessibility of these stories is their strength, allowing profound truths to be conveyed in an engaging and memorable way.